Box-office Mourinho center of attention again in EPL

Deflated after seeing his team concede a last-minute goal against his former club, Jose Mourinho looked up from his seat in the dugout to see a rival coach taunting him just a few meters away.

So began a chain of events that offered another illustration of why the Manchester United manager remains the biggest box-office draw in English soccer.

In a tempestuous ending to United’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Saturday, Mourinho leapt up and attempted to confront Chelsea technical assistant Marco Ianni before being held back by security staff and members of his own coaching team.

Chelsea fans reacted by aiming vitriol and abuse from the stands at Mourinho, the man who oversaw the most successful period in the London club’s history. Mourinho’s post-match response? To walk onto the field and hold three fingers up to the home support, signifying the three Premier League titles he won across two spells in charge of Chelsea.

Then, of course, came those must-watch post-match Mourinho interviews when he played the victim, said Chelsea apologized to him, and then belittled Ianni.

“Don’t do what everyone does and say, ‘It’s Mourinho who does things,’” he said. “I don’t know his name, I don’t need to know. Everything is fine.”

United’s latest impressive rally might be overlooked amid the late-match shenanigans involving its manager, who was seconds away from the sweetest of victories.

Having come from two goals down to beat Newcastle 3-2 before the international break, United responded well from going behind to Antonio Rudiger’s 21st-minute goal as Anthony Martial scored twice in the second half.

Ross Barkley’s goal in the sixth minute of injury time ensured United remained in mid-table and preserved Chelsea’s unbeaten start after nine games.